Runners support Belvidere Royal Family KIDS Organization

By Eric Hipp

Reporter

BELVIDERE- Approximately 75 people registered and participated in the First Annual MAD DASH “Making a Difference for foster kids” 5K/walk supporting Royal Family KIDS Camp. The 5K and walk were held on Saturday, April 23 at Spencer Park in Belvidere. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Belvidere Royal Family KIDS organization.

The USATF Certified Course started near the pavilion in Spencer Park, crossed Appleton Road, and then ran through portions of Belvidere Park before returning to Spencer Park for the finish line.

Dan Palmer was the overall race winner finishing with a time of 18:31. Courtney Huhta was the top female finisher with a time of 22:45. Palmer and Huhta were presented with medals for their finishes. Awards were also given for first and second place finishers in various age groups.

According to Nancy Ramos, Co-director of Royal Family KIDS Belvidere, the group used to sponsor a “No excuse for Child Abuse” Walk-a-thon.

The 2.5 mile walk started at United Methodist Church, 610 Bonus Ave., and took walkers through Belvidere neighborhoods. They decided a 5K and walk would be a better use of resources and hopefully bring more participation.

About Belvidere Royal Family KIDS

Royal Family KIDS is a nonprofit national organization, founded in 1985 and provides mentoring and camp experiences for abused children.

The organization also provides on-going opportunities to continue the relationship built during camp through the club program. The organization runs Belvidere Royal Family KIDS Camp #242.

Camps are one week long and each child is assigned a counselor. After camp the Club
Program meets every other month to continue the relationships started at camp to provide further positive role models for the children.

More information can be found at: http://belvidere.royalfamilykids.org/about-our-camp/.